Majuli, World’s Largest River Island To Go Plastic Free

Located on the Brahmaputra river in Assam, Majuli is the world’s largest river island. This tourist hotspot recently made headlines for being on the verge of submergence due to constant erosion and excessive sediment discharge. With this threat of disappearance looming large and raising concerns over excess plastic being dumped in the river, the district administration has decided to ban the use and sale of plastic bags and tobacco leaves. 

As per the district magistrate’s directive, the ban will be put into effect for a period of 60 days until further notice. The order further states that any violation of the directive is a punishable offence under section 188 of the IPC. 

As per reports, the additional magistrate said that because the use of plastic bags in the river island has led to contamination of soil and water and has created unhygienic conditions by clogging the sewage, thereby adversely impacting the ponds, the order must be implemented with immediate effect. 

Though Majuli is a hub for tourists seeking a retreat in nature's lap, researchers claim that if the environmental degradation persists, there are chances that the river island might completely submerge by 2030.

Following the footsteps of the district administration in Assam, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation is banning single - use plastic in the city from October 2 onwards. This ban also coincides with the nation - wide campaign to go plastic free. Under the KMC’s directive, the use of plastic products like polybags, plastic straws, PET bottles, plastic pouches and polystyrene products like plates, bowls and glasses will be completely prohibited. The order states that non compliance by the vendors in the area can lead to a fine of Rs 500. The West Bengal Pollution Control Board is also committed to enforce the ban to make the city plastic free.